M. Tech (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Agricultural waste such as Macadamia nutshells are currently receiving more attention for removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). However, they have low adsorption capabilities when used in their raw form. In this study, the efficiency of using Macadamia nutshell powder modified with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, grafted with 1,5’-diphenylcarbizide (DPC) for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution was explored. The effects of various parameters controlling adsorption of Cr(VI) onto Macadamia adsorbents such as initial concentration, contact time, adsorbent concentration and pH were investigated. The optimal operating parameters for Macadamia nutshells treated with hydrogen peroxide (MHP) adsorbents were determined to be 75 mg/L, 3 h, 0.1 g and pH 1. The optimal operating parameters for Macadamia nutshells treated with hydrogen peroxide and grafted with 1,5’-diphenylcarbizide (MHPD) were determined to be 150 mg/L, 1 h, 0.1 g and pH 3. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the adsorbents revealed that treated MHP showed amino groups attached to the adsorbents. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the grafted material lowered the thermal stability from 180◦C to 300◦C due to volatile nature of DPC. The surface of the MHPD materials was rough due to grafting. The results showed that the 1,5’-diphenylcarbazide treatment improved the removal efficiency of Cr(VI).

An indigenous mixed culture of bacteria collected from a Wastewater Treatment Plant (Brits, North West Province, South Africa), biocatalytically reduced Cr(VI) in the presence of As(III). Both the reduced chromium (Cr(III)) and the oxidised arsenic (As(V)) readily form amorphous hydroxides that can be easily separated or precipitated from the aqueous phase as part of the treatment process. Treatment of Cr(VI) and As(III) before disposal of wastewater is critical since both compounds are known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic at very low concentrations, and acutely toxic at high concentrations. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the rate of Cr(VI) reduction under anaerobic condition in the presence of its co-contaminant As(III) typically found in the groundwater and mining effluent. Results showed near complete Cr(VI) reduction under initial Cr(VI) concentrations up to 70 mg/L in a batch amended with 20 mg/L As(III). However, increasing Cr(VI) concentrations up to 100 mg/L resulted in the inhibition of Cr(VI) reduction activity. Further investigation was conducted in a batch reactor amended with 70 mg/L Cr(VI) concentration at different As(III) concentrations ranging from 5-70 mg/L to evaluate the effect of varying As(III) concentration on Cr(VI) reduction efficiency. Results showed that Cr(VI) reduction efficiency increased as As(III) concentrations increased from 5-40 mg/L. However, further increase in As(III) concentration up to 50 mg/L resulted in incomplete Cr(VI) reduction and decrease in Cr(VI) reduction efficiency. These results suggest that the rate of Cr(VI) reduction depends on the redox reaction of As(III) and As(V) with Cr(VI). Moreover, the inhibitory effect observed at high Cr(VI) and As(III) concentration may also be attributed to the dual toxicity effect of Cr(VI) and As(III) on microbial cell. From the above batch kinetic studies lethal concentration of Cr(VI) and As(III) for these strains was evaluated and established. Initial evaluation of the bacteria using 16S rRNA partial sequence method showed that cells in the mixed culture comprised predominantly of the Gram-positive species: Staphylococcus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Bacillus sp. The biokinetic parameters of these strains were estimated using a non-competitive inhibition model with a computer programme for simulation of the Aquatic System “AQUASIM 2.0”. Microbial reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of As(III) was further investigated in continuous-flow bioreactors (biofilm reactor) under varying Cr(VI) loading rates. The reactor achieved Cr(VI) removal efficiency of more than 96 % in the first three phases of continuous operation at lower Cr(VI) concentration ranging from 20-50 mg/L. However, 20 % decrease in Cr(VI) removal efficiency was observed as Cr(VI) concentration increase up to 100 mg/L. The reactor was able to recover from Cr(VI) and As(III) overloading phase after establishing the resilient nature of the microorganism. Similarly to the batch reactor studies the overall performance of the reactor also demonstrated that the presence of As(III) greatly enhance Cr(VI) reduction in a bioreactor. This was evident by near complete removal of Cr(VI) concentration up to 50 mg/L. The basic mass balance expressions on Cr(VI) along with the non-competitive inhibition model were used to estimate the biokinetic parameters in the continuous flow bioreactor system. Cr(VI) reduction efficiency along the longitudinal column was also evaluated in this study. Results showed that Cr(VI) efficiency increased as Cr(VI) concentration travels along the longitudinal column. Other important factors such as oxygen and pH during biological Cr(VI) reduction in the presence of As(III) oxidation were also evaluated. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Chemical Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

Šiame eksperimente buvo nagrinėjama pH įtaka Cr (VI) ir Cu (II) jonų pašalinimui iš vandeninių tirpalų, naudojant metalinę geležį Fe (0), kai tirpalų pH vertės buvo nuo 2 iki 6, purtymo procese, uždaruose ir atviruose induose. Kadangi Cr (VI) ir Cu (II) jonų koncentracijų sumažėjimas tirpale priklauso nuo geležies paviršiaus, tai labai svarbu ją tinkamai paruošti: išvalyti ir aktyvuoti. Maksimalus Cr (VI) jonų pašalinimo efektyvumas buvo esant pH vertei 2, o Cu (II) jonų atveju, kai pH vertė 4 uždaruose induose ir atviruose induose – chromo atveju pH 6, vario atveju, kai pH 4. Pašalinimo įvertinimui naudojamos kalibraciniės kreivės pagal kurias apskaičiuojamos likusiųjų jonų koncentracijos, matuojant tirpalų optinius tankius. Metodas yra pigus ir patikimas, nes pašalinima didelė dalis sunkiųjų metalų jonų. / The effects of pH on Cr (VI) and Cu (II) ions removal from solutions by Fe (0) was investigated by batch shaking process. Since the presence of ferrous iron in the solution is mainly responsible for Cr (VI) and Cu (II) reduction the surface of iron must be purified and activated. The maximum Cr (VI) removal efficiency was found at pH 2 and in Cu (II) case it was pH 4 without oxygen and in case with open jar it was for Cr (vi) removal pH 6 and for Cu (II) removal pH 4. Remained concentrations of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions were investigated using calibrated graphs and analysis of optical density. This study confirmed that this method is cheap because we can use wasted iron and effective of removing most of heavy metal ions from solutions.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:08:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Simane Camera.pdf: 3567207 bytes, checksum: 8d7a8eda99ee4c4d490c232bcc95cfd2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-25 / Fundação Araucária / This work aims to study the reduction of hexavalent chromium to trivalent form through the adsorption process as assessed by the Kβ X-ray emission spectrometry. As adsorbent material activated carbon samples were used, while the resin Amberlite IR 120 was used as an indicator of the presence of Cr(III) in all solutions containing Cr(VI). Preliminar speciation tests were performed previously in solutions containing Cr(VI) in order to analyze the possible reduction to Cr(III) due to the effect of solution pH. A EDTA-based colorimetric speciation method of Cr(III) was applied. Preliminary kinetic Cr adsorption tests were performed at controlled temperature and agitation, achieving the equilibrium at 24 h for activated carbon. Batch single equilibrium Cr adsorption experiments using activated carbon and cation exchange resin materials as adsorbents and 8 mequiv.L-1 of Cr (III) and Cr(VI) ions as adsorvates were performed at pH 3.5 and under controlled temperature and agitation. Adsorbent and Cr reference material samples were pressed in pellets for spectrometric analysis. By using a high-resolution spectrometer of Johann type and a 6.1 keV monochromatic X-ray beam, Kβ X-ray emission spectra of Cr-treated adsorbent and reference material samples were registered by a Si detector, scanning the scattering X-ray by a spherycal bent analyzer around the Kβ1,3 spectral line of metallic chromium. The sample, spherical bent analyzer and detector system was positioned on the Rowland circle in order to scan in high resolution condition, focus the maximum back-scattered X-ray beam on the main detector and built Kβ X-ray emission spectra. As the incident monochromatic X-ray beam is a time-depending function, X-ray intensity that was registrated by detector was monitored and it was normalized to monitor-detector intensity. By setting measurement time of 2-4 h for Cr-treated adsorbent samples and 10-30 min for Cr reference material ones, a complete full scan of Kβ X-ray emission region was performed with enough statistic to observe the sattelite lines of chromium, which suffer a strong influence due to the oxidation state of metal ion and the chemical environment. The Cr-Kβ emission spectra were plotted on the basis of recorded X-ray intensity (y-axis) and spherical bent analyzer (SBA) position (x-axis), performing both the monitor-to-normalized intensity and the converted-to-energy SBA position. Besides this, scattered X-rays on matrix bulk and chromium absorption edge effect were systematically subtracted from Cr-Kβ emission spectra, applying pseudo-physical procedures and consequentely allowing enhancing the weaker sattellites lines of chromium. Main physical characteristic such as energy and intensity of main (Cr-Kβ1,3) and satellite lines (Cr-Kβ2,5 and Cr-Kβ ) for Cr-Kβ emission spectra of Cr treated-adsorbent samples were extracted by gaussian type peak fits and then compared with those of Cr reference materials, allowing to assign the oxidation state of chromium ions adsorbed on activated carbon surface and removed by an ion exchange process on cationic resin surface. In addition, no Cr(VI) reduction in acidic solutions was observed according to the EDTA-based colorimetric speciation result as well as with no presence of Cr(III)-Kβ spectral line pattern in Cr(VI) treated cationic resin samples. Based on Cr-Kβ spectral line analysis, the activated carbon samples treated with Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions have shown the same spectral line pattern corresponding to the Cr(III) one. Thus, the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) has occurred by the adsorption process / Este trabalho visa estudar a redução do cromo hexavalente à forma trivalente através do processo de adsorção, avaliada pela espectrometria Kβ de emissão. Amostras de carvão ativado foram utilizados como material adsorvente, enquanto a resina Amberlite IR 120 foi usada como um indicador da presença de Cr(III) em todas as soluções contendo Cr(VI). Testes preliminares de especiação foram realizados em soluções contendo Cr(VI), a fim de analisar a possível redução para Cr(III) devido ao efeito do pH da solução. Foi aplicado o método de especiação colorimétrica de Cr(III), usando como complexante o EDTA. Testes preliminares da cinética de adsorção de íons de Cr foram realizados em batelada a temperatura e agitação controlada, alcançando o equilíbrio em 24 h para o carvão ativado. Foram realizados experimentos de adsorção de Cr utilizando carvão ativado e resina de troca catiônica materiais em soluções contendo 8 mequiv L-1 de Cr(III) e Cr(VI) em pH 3,5 e com temperatura e agitação controladas. Foram prensados, em forma de pastilhas, amostras de adsorventes tratados com Cr(III) e (VI), além de materiais de referência de Cr, para análise espectrométrica. Usando um espectrômetro de alta resolução do tipo de Johann e um feixe de raios X monocromático de 6,1 keV, foram registrados, por um detector de Si, espectros de emissão de raios-X Kβ de amostras de material adsorbente tratados com íons de Cr bem como de materiais de referência, fazendo para tanto a varredura em energia dos raios-X espalhados pela amostra em torno da linha espectral principal Kβ do cromo metálico. O conjunto amostra, analisador esfericamente curvado (SBA) e detector foi posicionado sobre um círculo de Rowland, a fim de obter, em condições de alta resolução, a focalização do feixe de raios X retro-espalhados no detector principal e permitindo a construção de espectros de emissão Kβ. Como a intensidade do feixe incidente de raios-X monocromático foi uma função dependente do tempo, a intensidade de raios-X registrada pelo detector foi monitorada e normalizada por aquela registrada pelo detector-monitor. Ao definir o tempo de medição de 2-4 h para amostras adsorvente tratadas com íons de Cr e 10-30 min para os compostos de referência de Cr, uma região completa do espectro de emissão de raios-X foi obtida com estatística suficiente para observar as linhas satélite dos íons de cromo, que sofrem uma forte influência devido ao estado de oxidação do íon metálico e do ambiente químico. Os espectros Kβ foram graficados em intensidade de raios-X contra a posição do analisador curvado (SBA), sendo sistematicamente normalizados a intensidade do detector-monitor e convertendo a posição do SBA em energia. Além disso, o fundo oriundo dos raios X espalhados na amostra e do efeito da borda de absorção do Cr foi subtraído de todos os espectros de emissão Cr-K, destacando assim as linhas satelites de cromo. As características físicas, como a energia e a intensidade, das linhas principais (Cr-Kβ1,3) e linhas satélite (Cr-Kβ2,5 e Cr-Kβ") foram extraídas dos espectros de emissão Cr-K das amostras tratadas com Cr e comparados com os dos materiais de referência, permitindo inferir o estado de oxidação do cromo adsorvido no carvão ativado e os que também foram removidos pela resina catiônica. Além disso, não foi observado a redução do Cr(VI) na solução, de acordo com a ausência das linhas espectrais de Cr(III) em amostras de resina catiônica tratadas com Cr(VI). Baseado na análise das linhas espectrais, as amostras de carvão ativado tratadas com Cr(III) e Cr(VI) têm mostrado o mesmo padrão de linhas espectrais correspondentes ao Cr(III) e portanto, a redução de Cr(VI) para Cr(III) ocorreu durante o processo de adsorção

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-01-10T17:07:20Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Glalber Luiz da Rocha Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 1694646 bytes, checksum: 0edfdeae06383f7209358539abe161f7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-01-11T09:54:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Glalber Luiz da Rocha Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 1694646 bytes, checksum: 0edfdeae06383f7209358539abe161f7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-11T09:54:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Glalber Luiz da Rocha Ferreira - 2016.pdf: 1694646 bytes, checksum: 0edfdeae06383f7209358539abe161f7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-29 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / The existing techniques for removing heavy metals are expensive and are often not effective. Thus the application arises from biosorbents, an emerging technology that needs to be studied and explored, in order to promote better environmental and human life quality. The study craved verify removal capacity in synthetic aqueous solutions of ions Cr (VI) at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/L by biosorption by use of active and inactive fungal biomass Pleurotus ostreatus. In the use of the active biosorbent, kinetic studies revealed that in 336 hours was achieved 100% of its saturation capacity at concentrations of 10 and 25 mg/L of Cr (VI), achieving total removal of Cr (VI) in the order of 250 times over the recommended limit for industrial effluents in CONAMA Resolution nº 430/2011, and 360 hours biomass reached its maximum capacity of saturation, reaching values of 98,18% and 96,84%, in concentrations of 50 and 75 mg/L of Cr (VI), respectively. Observing the concentrations of 100% removal was confirmed by analysis of the total EAA chromium values of 141,66 mg/g and 133,55 mg/g biomass respectively. The analysis revealed the micrographs by SEM and TEM we observed at the cellular composition of biomass the presence of bacterial cells associated with the fungus, which on analysis was not possible to know where the metal was in adsorbed, it is better to point out that it was possible to detect content chromium from the cellular structure of the biomass. In the use of the idle biosorbent, kinetic studies showed that 6, 10 and 12 minutes it was reaching 100% of its saturation capacity at concentrations of 10, 25 and 50 mg/L of Cr (VI), respectively, achieving total removal Cr (VI) in the order of 500 times over the recommended limit for industrial effluents in CONAMA Resolution No. 430/2011, and in 22 minutes biomass reached its maximum capacity of saturation, reaching values of 73,21% and 55,13% at concentrations of 75 and 100 mg/L of Cr (VI), respectively. The Langmuir model was the one that best fit the experimental data biosorbent P. ostreatus, when evaluating the separation factor (RL), responding to values between zero and 1. Now, considering the values of the coefficient of determination (R2), the Freundlich model fit better due to present higher values in relation to the Langmuir model. / As técnicas existentes de remoção de metais pesados são caras e muitas vezes não são eficientes. Dessa forma surge a aplicação de biossorventes, uma tecnologia emergente que precisa ser estudada e explorada, com o objetivo de promover melhor qualidade ambiental e da vida humana. O estudo almejou verificar a capacidade de remoção em soluções aquosas sintéticas de íons Cr(VI) nas concentrações de 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 e 150 mg/L, através da biossorção pela utilização da biomassa fúngica ativa e inativa de Pleurotus ostreatus. Na utilização do biossorvente ativo, os estudos cinéticos revelaram que em 336 horas foi alcançado 100% de sua capacidade de saturação nas concentrações de 10 e 25 mg/L de Cr(VI), alcançando uma remoção total de Cr(VI) na ordem de 250 vezes em relação ao limite preconizado para efluentes industriais na Resolução do CONAMA nº 430/2011, e em 360 horas a biomassa atingiu sua capacidade máxima de saturação, atingindo valores de 98,18% e 96,84%, nas concentrações de 50 e 75 mg/L de Cr(VI), respectivamente. Observando as concentrações de 100% de remoção, foi confirmando através da análise de EAA valores de crômio total de 141,66 mg/g e 133,55 mg/g de biomassa, respectivamente. Na análise revelada pelas microfotografias por MEV e MET foi possível verificar junto a composição celular da biomassa a presença de células bacterianas associadas ao fungo, que em análise não foi possível saber onde o metal se encontrava adsorvido, mais vale salientar que foi possível detectar conteúdo de crômio junto a estrutura celular da biomassa. Na utilização do biossorvente inativo, os estudos cinéticos revelaram que em 6, 10 e 12 minutos foi alcançando 100% de sua capacidade de saturação nas concentrações de 10, 25 e 50 mg/L de Cr(VI), respectivamente, alcançando uma remoção total de Cr(VI) na ordem de 500 vezes em relação ao limite preconizado para efluentes industriais na Resolução do CONAMA nº 430/2011, e em 22 minutos a biomassa atingiu sua capacidade máxima de saturação, atingindo valores de 73,21% e 55,13%, nas concentrações de 75 e 100 mg/L de Cr(VI), respectivamente. O modelo de Langmuir foi o que se melhor ajustou aos dados experimentais do biossorvente P. ostreatus, quando avaliando o fator de separação (RL), respondendo a valores entre zero e 1. Agora, considerando os valores do coeficiente de determinação (R2), o modelo de Freundlich se ajustou melhor, devido apresentar valores maiores em relação ao modelo de Langmuir.

Recently there have been considerable interests in nanometerial study. In this work, we have used carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polypyrrole (PPy) conducting polymers (CPs) as models to make a nanotube and conducting polymer composite material. Under electro-oxidation condition, the PPy/CNT films can be grown on conventional substrates such as a glassy carbon electrode in aqueous and non-aqueous media. These nano-conjugated materials are based on the doping of CNTs particles into conducting polymer network while oxidatively polymerizing. CNTs serve as dopants and solely supporting electrolytes in the preparation. The CP/CNT new composite materials have showed promise not only in a potential environmental remedy such as conversion of highly toxic Cr(VI) into less harmful Cr(III), but also in electrocatalysis of the quinone/hydroquinone redox reaction. Voltammetry, bulk electrolysis with coulometry, AC impedance, and EQCM techniques have been used to elucidate the preparation, ion transport, and intermolecular interaction processes within these composites.

<p>At present the automotive industry is due to an EU directive, replacing hexavalent chrome on vehicles. This is an extensive job as hexavalent chrome is used all over the vehicle and to large extent on fasteners (screws, nuts, rivets etc.). Chrome (VI) is used as a passivating layer on mainly zinc-iron. When replacing the hexavalent chrome with a chrome (VI) free product, the passivating properties are reduced. One of the alternatives is to replace the zinc-iron coating with a zinc-nickel coating. This coating shows great promise from the corrosion resistance point of view. Zinc-nickel is a cathodically protecting coating, and will in principle dissolve to protect the substrate from corrosion. It is therefore important to understand how, and at what rates nickel is released from zinc-nickel coatings when exposed to a chloride-rich automotive environment. The potential environmental impact of nickel needs to be evaluated before Scania can introduce this alternative as corrosion protection. Tests by Scania have previously shown that contact allergy is not an issue for zinc-nickel coatings with Cr (III) passivation.</p><p>Nickel release rates corresponding to 0,12 mg m^-2yr^-1 for zinc-15 % nickel coatings at a pH of 4,2 were determined from an accelerated corrosion test. Based on these values, less than 1 kg of nickel per year would be released from the Scania rolling stock if Scania were to introduce zinc-nickel coatings preferably on fasteners. This value is low compared to other sources of nickel release. In order to evaluate the toxicity of the released nickel, information about the chemical speciation, i.e. chemical forms, is needed.</p><p>Total or dissolved metal are not good predictors of ecotoxicity of metals. Chemical speciation and bioavailability must be incorporated in toxicity testing. Total or dissolved metal may be used as a worst case approximation.</p>

At present the automotive industry is due to an EU directive, replacing hexavalent chrome on vehicles. This is an extensive job as hexavalent chrome is used all over the vehicle and to large extent on fasteners (screws, nuts, rivets etc.). Chrome (VI) is used as a passivating layer on mainly zinc-iron. When replacing the hexavalent chrome with a chrome (VI) free product, the passivating properties are reduced. One of the alternatives is to replace the zinc-iron coating with a zinc-nickel coating. This coating shows great promise from the corrosion resistance point of view. Zinc-nickel is a cathodically protecting coating, and will in principle dissolve to protect the substrate from corrosion. It is therefore important to understand how, and at what rates nickel is released from zinc-nickel coatings when exposed to a chloride-rich automotive environment. The potential environmental impact of nickel needs to be evaluated before Scania can introduce this alternative as corrosion protection. Tests by Scania have previously shown that contact allergy is not an issue for zinc-nickel coatings with Cr (III) passivation. Nickel release rates corresponding to 0,12 mg m-2yr-1 for zinc-15 % nickel coatings at a pH of 4,2 were determined from an accelerated corrosion test. Based on these values, less than 1 kg of nickel per year would be released from the Scania rolling stock if Scania were to introduce zinc-nickel coatings preferably on fasteners. This value is low compared to other sources of nickel release. In order to evaluate the toxicity of the released nickel, information about the chemical speciation, i.e. chemical forms, is needed. Total or dissolved metal are not good predictors of ecotoxicity of metals. Chemical speciation and bioavailability must be incorporated in toxicity testing. Total or dissolved metal may be used as a worst case approximation.

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-14T22:58:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 02c.pdf: 4143631 bytes, checksum: f74eb64ed042d68302da8c134a634656 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-14T22:58:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 02c.pdf: 4143631 bytes, checksum: f74eb64ed042d68302da8c134a634656 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Com o objetivo de reduzir a geração de resíduos nos processos industriais e agrícolas, bem como melhor reaproveitá-los, seja no próprio processo produtivo ou como matéria-prima na elaboração de outros materiais, tem-se cada vez mais investido em pesquisas para a transformação destes, até então considerados apenas resíduos industriais, em produtos de interesse comercial. Neste sentido, as cascas residuais oriundas do processo de beneficiamento de arroz vêm sendo utilizadas como combustível, visando ao aproveitamento energético. Mediante a queima da casca de arroz é gerada a cinza de casca de arroz composta basicamente de sílica, potencializando o uso deste resíduo em diferentes segmentos industriais. Muitos trabalhos aplicam a cinza de casca de arroz na construção civil, visto que grande parte dessas cinzas apresenta características pozolânicas decorrente da alta concentração de sílica amorfa presente no material. Pesquisas têm demonstrado que estas cinzas também apresentam potencialidade de aplicação como material adsorvente. No entanto, a cinza de casca de arroz apresenta-se, muitas vezes, como um material heterogêneo tanto na sua composição granulométrica quanto na sua composição química. Estas características podem interferir nas aplicações limitando seu aproveitamento. A segregação dos resíduos é uma técnica amplamente aplicada no gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos industriais e pode oportunizar a reciclagem dos materiais segregados. Neste contexto, este trabalho tem como proposta principal contribuir para a valorização do resíduo cinza de casca de arroz como co-produto através da etapa de segregação. Foi estudada a influência da segregação da cinza da casca de arroz nas características fisicoquímicas, bem como no seu desempenho como material pozolânico e adsorvente. As amostras e as frações segregadas foram caracterizadas através de parâmetros físicos (perda ao fogo, massa específica, área superficial, distribuição granulométrica) parâmetros químicos (análise química, difração de raio-X) e parâmetros microestruturais (microscopia eletrônica de varredura com espectro de dispersão de energia-EDS). A atividade pozolânica foi determinada após moagem das amostras e das frações através de ensaios de Pozolanicidade com o cimento e Condutividade Elétrica. Os ensaios de adsorção foram realizados com soluções de Cr(VI). O cromo residual foi quantificado pelo método colorimétrico da 1,5- difenilcarbazida. Resultados obtidos demonstraram que a segregação configura-se numa etapa importante, pois remove impurezas e contaminantes presentes na amostra, bem como origina frações diferentes, evidenciadas nos ensaios de caracterização. Nos ensaios de atividade pozolânica, observou-se que a influência da segregação relaciona-se com o tipo de processo de combustão aplicado para a obtenção da cinza. Nos ensaios de adsorção, observou-se que a segregação influenciou na remoção de cromo hexavalente. O estudo demonstrou, nas condições testadas, a viabilidade do uso de cinza de casca de arroz na adsorção do metal quando ajustados os parâmetros do processo que favoreçam a remoção dos íons de cromo. / The main objective for the industry is to reduce the generation of wastes, or to find better uses to them, such as in the own productive process or as raw material in the elaboration of other materials. Also, a great amount of funds has been invested in researches for the transformation of such wastes, in by-products of commercial interest. In this way, the rice husk from the rice processing have been used as combustible, for producing energy. Rice husk ashes are generated from the rice husk burning, which presents a potential to be used as raw material in the production of several products in different industry sectors. Most of the works apply the rice husk ash in civil construction, because a great part of those ashes present pozzolanic characteristics as a result of their amorphous chemical structure and the high silica content. In fact, between other factors, the pozzolanicity of rice husk ash depends on the thermal process applied to the rice husk during burning. Researches have been demonstrating that the ashes also may be potentiality applied as adsorbent. However, the rice husk ash comes, many times, as a heterogeneous material so much in your particle size distribution as in your chemical composition. These characteristics can interfere in the applications limiting your use. The segregation of the wastes is thoroughly a technique applied in the administration of industrial solid waste and it can guarantee the recycle of the segregated materials. This work has as main objective to contribute for the valorization of the waste rice husk ash as coproduct through the segregation stage. It was studied the influence of the segregation of the rice husk ash, in physical-chemical characteristics, as well as your acting as pozzolanic and adsorbent. The samples and segregated fractions were characterized via physical (fire loss, specific gravity, specific surface area, particle size distribution), chemical (chemical analysis, X Ray diffraction) and microstructural parameters (scanning electronic microscopy with energy dispersion spectroscopy – EDS). The pozzolanic activity was determined after grinding the samples and the fractions via Cement pozzolanic and Electric Conductivity Methods. The adsorption rehearsals were accomplished with Cr(VI) solutions, that was quantified by the colorimeter method using 1,5-difenilcarbazida. Results demonstrated that the segregation became an important step, because removes impurities and contaminants from the samples and also originates fractions with different characteristics. It was observed, in pozzolanic activity, that the influence of the segregation links with the type of applied combustion process for the obtaining of the ash. It was observed, in adsorption rehearsals, that the segregation influenced in the removal of chromium (VI). Adsorption results showed, considering the experimental conditions in this work, the viability of the use of rice husk ash in the adsorption of chromium (VI) when adjusted the process’s parameters that guarantee the removal of chromium.

The dissertation consists of three major projects with the focus on the immunotoxicity of chromium and the behavior disorders caused by early ETOH exposure respectively. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is widely used in various industrial processes and has been recognized as a carcinogen. As the first line of host defense system, the immune system can be a primary target of Cr(VI). T cell population represents a major arm of the immune system that plays a critical role in host anti-tumor immunity. Dysfunction of T cells compromises host anti-tumor immunity resulting in oncogenesis. Using mouse splenic T cells as an in vitro model system, the present study assessed the effects of Cr(VI) on T cell functions, as the first step of our investigation of the mechanism underlying Cr(VI)-inhibited immunosurveillance and carcinogenesis. Our results showed that Cr(VI) decreased the viability of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, inhibited T cell activation, functions, including cytokine release, and degranulation. Fetal ethanol (ETOH) exposure can damage the developing central nervous system and lead to cognitive and behavioral deficits, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The use of animal models, especially mouse models is essential for investigating the neurogenetic mechanism of fetal ETOH effects and screening pharmacotherapies against it, due to the extensive knowledge of mouse genetics. However, the availability of mouse model is limited. Via adopting various dosage, timing and administration routes of ETOH exposure, we developed two mouse models to assess behavioral or cognitive changes caused by fetal ETOH exposure in pre-weaning and adolescent period. Our results show that high dosage of ETOH exposure (4 g/kg) during PD 4-10 resulted in hyperactivity, disinhibition, and deficits in learning and memory in mouse offspring, which lays the groundwork for the future FASD research.